Robbie Williams Would Like to Reintroduce Himself

What is Robbie Williams known as?” This question is presented at the start and end of his new biopic, Better Man. In the U.K., he doesn’t require an introduction due to his fame with Take That, one of the most successful ’90s British boy bands. After being labeled the “bad boy” of the group, Williams launched a solo career that reached incredible peaks in the U.K., earning 14 No. 1 albums, 13 BRIT awards as a solo artist, and breaking records for concert ticket sales. Despite his global fan base, he has yet to achieve similar success in the U.S. market. Now, Williams gets another opportunity to make a lasting impact on American audiences.

In a unique twist similar to Pharrell Williams’ biopic Piece by Piece, where his story was presented using Legos last year, Robbie Williams challenges traditional norms in Better Man as he is portrayed by a computer-generated monkey. Jonno Davies provided the voice and motion capture for the character, but the audience sees an animated monkey throughout the film. The creative idea originated from the film’s director, Michael Gracey (famous for The Greatest Showman), who pitched it to Williams. “I thought it was brilliant, genius, and a bit crazy,” Williams shares with me over Zoom from Los Angeles, the day after the Golden Globes where he attended as a first-time nominee for the movie’s closing track, “Forbidden Road.” (The song was also nominated for an Academy Award, but eventually disqualified due to not meeting the required criteria.)

Initially, when Williams was invited to attend the December luncheon for first-time nominees, alongside stars like Ariana Grande from Wicked and Zoe Saldaña of Emilia Pérez, he considered turning it down, saying, “I told my wife, ‘I’m not going. It feels a bit like trying too hard.’ But she reminded me that I represent Felix the cat food, so I agreed to attend.” Regarding the awards show itself, Williams has mixed emotions. He enjoyed the event, but found the red carpet experience less inspiring, describing it as “chaotic and disorganized.” In particular, he complained about a long line for the step and repeat photo opportunity, similar to waiting in line for Space Mountain at Disney World. Despite his complaints, Williams eventually joined the line, finding himself next to Tilda Swinton, Jeff Goldblum, Ewan McGregor, and Salma Hayek.

At the age of 50 and father of four, Williams seems to perceive the field he’s always been part of as equally captivating and monstrous. He openly acknowledges its chaos, saying, “I immerse myself completely in it, but honestly, it’s a mess.

The film, “Better Man,” delves deep into the tumultuous life of Williams, showcasing both his extraordinary peaks and crushing valleys shaped by the entertainment world that nurtured him. In a pivotal scene early on, young Robbie watches Frank Sinatra perform on television as his comedian-singer father declares: “You can’t acquire that. You either have it naturally or you’re insignificant.” This leaves Williams questioning what exactly “it” is, fearing he might become inconsequential. His father departs to chase his own dreams, altering the family dynamics and forging a complicated father-son bond. As the narrative unfolds, we witness Williams grappling with addiction, self-image issues, and relentless bouts of self-hatred, all while presenting himself as an affable, carefree character to the outside world. The portrayal on screen captures the pop star’s quest for self-discovery, inviting viewers to join him on this transformative journey as he grows and evolves.>

Before the nationwide premiere of the movie in the U.S., Williams talked about his raw biographical film, the therapeutic impact of acknowledging past actions, and the uncomfortable truth that sharing an honest account of his life inevitably made others uneasy.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

I’m interested to hear about your thoughts on the nationwide launch of “Better Man” in the United States. Given that the U.S. audience might not be as acquainted with your narrative as people in the UK, have you pondered over how this could impact the reception among them?

Williams admits he can’t jump onto the bandwagon of expectations for this movie, as he’s human and tends to follow the lead of those who are financially and emotionally invested in it. Despite his unwavering ambition, he yearns for a chance to impress North American audiences on a scale he hasn’t achieved before. He wonders what he’ll feel if this opportunity doesn’t materialize. Like with his job, he’s waiting for the public acceptance that makes him exist, and it’s a scary position to be in. As a 50-year-old, he acknowledges the urgency of finding a solution to this predicament.

Did you notice that I recently watched your Netflix docuseries from 2023, where you candidly discussed your unsuccessful attempt at breaking into the American market as a solo artist? It seemed they failed to grasp your unique character. Does it feel any different for you now?

As a Brit, I feel that we have a strong inclination towards challenging established norms. The idea of “breaking America” seems to carry a significant weight, particularly for us, which can be interpreted as resisting being told what’s important for our careers without our approval. I question why the focus is primarily on breaking America rather than Japan or other countries. It concerns me when this concept is used to define success. In terms of my career, it’s often stated, “And he didn’t break America,” which gives me an opportunity to express frustration with those I perceive as overbearing. While I admit that this is not a sound justification, it does represent one reason for my desire to do so.

It seems there’s chatter going around, perhaps discussing if one could “crack” England. I can’t help but ponder if this is due to the extensive influence of American movies and culture in our society. Our bond with it is peculiar, indeed.

Sure thing!

Indeed, that’s the case. If I were to consider myself as a single individual, which I’m not, it would be like asking, “How much recognition do you seek and how much wealth do you require?” Because essentially, that’s all it boils down to – more recognition. I’m hooked on success. No matter how deep the void, I keep pushing forward. I yearn for the opportunity to shine in North America, to perform here, and to be accepted by the audience as a way of satisfying an itch. However, I have already reached the peak before, and I had a profound question about life’s meaning at that time, wondering “What is the purpose of all this?”

This version maintains the original’s tone while using more straightforward language and simplifying some complex sentences for easier reading.

Based on the documentary, it appears that staying relatively unknown in America proved beneficial for you, allowing you to find sanctuary away from the public eye.

In all honesty, I’m not sure I would be where I am today without it. The past was a stark contrast, filled with ruthless and unethical practices of an industry that exploited you in every possible way. Many of these methods were indeed illegal, while others should have been. To survive, I chose to lead a low-profile life in North America for the last quarter century, allowing me to be a respectable figure here, while fighting for justice elsewhere, much like Bruce Wayne and Batman.

Are you referring to the Bruce Wayne/Batman analogy, which brings to mind a concept from the movie? In the film “Better Man,” there’s a clear division between Robert Williams, the boy who used to lounge on the couch eating potato chips with his grandmother, and Robbie Williams, the pop star persona. Do you still perceive these two personas as distinct within yourself or have they merged into one entity now?

I used to find it crucial to keep Robbie the singer and Robert the private individual separate during my career for my own peace of mind. However, these days, that distinction doesn’t matter much to me. Nowadays, I feel like the two parts of me have merged more than ever before. Some people might say that I often speak about myself in the third person, but since everyone who knows me has opinions about me this way, I think I have a right to do it too.

It was fascinating to witness the early, pre-fame era of Take That depicted. The bond among them was palpable, yet the tension between you and Gary Barlow was apparent right from the start. Your narrative had a dual aspect; you admired Gary for his genius, yet you also found him somewhat annoying, wearing old sneakers. You mentioned that when Gary first read the script, he felt it portrayed him unfairly, so you made some revisions. Since both of you are in a better place now, did you feel it necessary to have Gary’s approval before proceeding further?

In simpler terms, the speaker loves Gaz and informed him about something challenging they’re dealing with. They value truthfulness above all else, but being truthful in this case might negatively impact Gaz. Their friendship is fragile yet still strong, as they are friends with mutual affection and regard. The speaker needs to tell their story honestly to advance their career, but they find it more crucial to be truthful than to protect Gaz. However, after hearing Gaz’s reaction, the script was adjusted to accommodate his feelings.

Looking back on those old days, do you now find yourself with a better grasp of why our dynamics with Gary became conflictual initially? It appears from the movie’s portrayal that at certain instances, you and Gary were put in adversarial positions by your manager and others. Much of the strain seems to have stemmed from external pressures…

In the past, there was a clear segregation and hierarchical structure in many workplaces, which often created an unsafe and unsupportive environment. People were not well-educated about mental health or creating a positive work environment during that time. However, significant progress has been made in the last 15 years to address these issues, but unfortunately, the pendulum has swung too far in the opposite direction, leading to new neuroses and complex problems. Back then, there was little understanding of workplace toxicity, and I don’t think anyone can be blamed for not knowing any better.

Here’s another way of expressing that sentence more casually: “Last thing about Gary – I couldn’t help but laugh when we saw his grand house and the butler standing by the door. I assumed it was just for the movie, but a quick internet search confirmed that he actually had a butler at some point. Amazing!

Indeed, there was a butler named Maurice in his employ. At the time, I had around $74,000 saved up, residing with my mother, and Gaz would arrive for promotions, each item of clothing carefully wrapped in tissue paper. He possessed a manor house, multiple cars, and a swimming pool. On the other hand, I was under a contract to have me eliminated, unable to relocate my mother from our childhood home. Much of the strife that could reasonably lead to disagreements wasn’t Gaz’s doing. It isn’t his fault he composed the songs and amassed fortunes before the rest of the band saw any success. However, those events will undoubtedly stir up trouble.

You’ll have a close glimpse into your past relationship with Nicole Appleton, who is famous for being in the band All Saints. The movie also covers a challenging phase when Nicole underwent an abortion. I remember seeing you both at the U.K. premiere. How was it having her see the film, and did you manage to discuss this topic afterwards?

In a sneak peek before its public debut, Nicole caught a glimpse of it. While I was in Switzerland and she was in London, we eagerly waited for the minutes to pass so we could video call. However, let’s get this straight: Nic is an incredibly kind-hearted person. Despite encountering a reckless, alcoholic individual at a low point in his life, I unknowingly acted in a manner that didn’t align with the person I wanted and needed to be. As a result, I mistreated her.

What makes this project significant for me is the opportunity to rectify past mistakes on an enormous scale. I must admit, I will need to apologize sincerely. In response, she has expressed forgiveness, saying, “I forgive you anyway.

In the movie, the Oasis band is humorously portrayed in a particular scene. During my childhood, news about the “Oasis vs. Robbie” feud was frequently in the headlines. However, this biopic reveals a different perspective. It shows that you were initially a fan of them and held them in high regard before things took a turn.

To this day, I remain an ardent admirer [of them]. Oasis, unfortunately, became the embodiment of schoolyard bullies in the music world. They weren’t the absolute worst, but their constant presence gave a green light to many bullies to continue their behavior into adulthood. Whether or not Noel and Liam recognize this, or choose to acknowledge it, they allowed every playground bully to grow up by their actions and demeanor. While Liam has significantly mellowed down over time, Noel, in this particular aspect of his life, shows no signs of change. He continues to be unnecessarily frosty, malicious, and cruel towards people who have caused him no harm but simply exist. And in an attempt to promote his albums, he still attacks the most successful individuals in the industry.

Previously, when two parties were engaged in conflict, for some unknown reason, I found myself declaring, “If no one else is brave enough to confront them, I will.” However, it seems everyone was either wiser than me, fearful of them, or both. In the ’90s, such behavior was considered cool and admired, and I believe we grew up in an era where that level of intensity was thrilling and entertaining. And let me add, it offered a more intriguing perspective compared to the blandness of today’s industry as a whole. Frankly, I can’t decide which I prefer.

In the movie, your family ties play a crucial role, shaping its core. There are heartwarming scenes between you and your grandmother that we particularly enjoy. Since every biopic has limitations, why was it significant to portray those bonding moments between young Robbie and his grandmother?

In Michael Gracey’s narrative, it was crucial that the plot progressed smoothly. To me, almost every element of mainstream media is a form of manipulation. In my story, there’s a captivating manipulation intended to stir emotions. This can be likened to heartwarming stories from shows like The X Factor or home renovation programs that are designed to evoke feelings such as empathy and compassion. At times, this manipulation may serve sinister purposes. Other times, it’s used to create something magical. I hope my film manages to manipulate people in a way that brings about magic.

In addition to significant connections within the movie “Better Man”, there are relationships that center around you and your parents. Your bond with your father, in particular, is intricate. Has this film encouraged you to discuss the past with your dad in real life? How does he perceive the way he’s portrayed in it?

My mother, who has dementia similar to my grandmother in a film, doesn’t recognize it because she’s not aware of what’s happening around her. On the other hand, my father is perplexed since he hasn’t seen it yet but has read about it. He suffers from Parkinson’s and can’t get out of bed due to his condition, which explains why he hasn’t watched it. As for me, I’ve resorted to the habit we’ve always had, which is avoiding discussions about such issues. This seems to be a peculiar trait in Northern English families, as the people before us were from shortly after the war and, like many Brits, we tend not to discuss personal matters openly. However, the situation becomes more challenging when there’s a $120 million biopic portraying our previously unspoken relationships on a global scale. It’s an uncomfortable reality.

It’s amusing yet poignant for my father that this account is based on my mother’s perspective. Consequently, what’s portrayed might not be accurate, but my mother’s rendition of the events makes for a more captivating narrative than my father’s version [laughs]. In essence, you get the bad with the good when living in the limelight cast by your son’s achievements. This part is the challenging aspect.

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2025-01-10 21:07